Lake MacLeod Solar Salt Project Expansion

Overview

Lake MacLeod Pty Ltd proposes to expand the existing solar salt operations at Lake MacLeod (Shire of Carnarvon), approximately 50 km north of Carnarvon. The proposal would include a total disturbance of up to 387.1 ha, of which 100 ha is previously disturbed, within a 653 ha development envelope.

The proposal is for an expansion of the existing operation to increase production from approximately 1.5 Mtpa to 3 Mtpa by 2027, within the currently approved Prescribed Premises Licence limit of 6.1 Mtpa. It includes the construction of additional salt crystalliser ponds, relocation of the northern flood levee and establishment of two borrow pits for construction material.

The Lake MacLeod Solar Salt Project has been in operation since the 1960s under a State Agreement, the Evaporites (Lake MacLeod) Agreement Act 1967.

Why your views matter

At this initial stage of the EIA process, comment is simply sought on whether or not the EPA should assess a proposal and, if so, what level of assessment is considered appropriate.

What happens next

Following the seven day public comment period and consideration of any comments received, the EPA will decide whether or not this proposal requires environmental impact assessment and, if so, what level of assessment will be applied.

The EPA's decisions on level of assessment are published on the EPA's website.